Indonesia Highlights Cultural Heritage as Global Soft Power

RRI. CO.ID, Bogor - Indonesia has reaffirmed its position as a civilization with deep historical roots during the Nusantara Cultural Forum held in Bogor, Sunday 1 March 2026. The event emphasized culture as a driving force toward a sustainable Nusantara civilization.

Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, delivered the keynote address at the forum organized by the Bambu Indonesia Foundation in Cibinong. He stated that Indonesia’s cultural wealth is remarkable both in quantity and historical depth.

According to the minister, Indonesia currently has 2,727 registered Intangible Cultural Heritage elements, with thousands more undergoing verification. “Our cultural heritage stretches from Sabang to Merauke, from Miangas to Rote Island. Our culture is not only rich, but also ancient,” he said.

Fadli also cited a recent publication in Nature journal on January 22, 2026, reporting the discovery of the world’s oldest prehistoric cave painting in Muna, Southeast Sulawesi, dated at 67,800 years old. He said the finding reinforces Indonesia’s status as a “civilizational state” rather than merely a nation-state.

He stressed that culture must shape Indonesia’s present and future, noting that advanced nations transform culture into strategic assets through creative industries and intellectual property-based economies. “Culture is both a strategic resource and a form of diplomatic soft power,” he affirmed.

In the national context, Fadli described Pancasila as the crystallization of Indonesia’s cultural values formulated by the founding fathers. He emphasized that Pancasila represents a profound reflection of the archipelago’s long civilizational journey.

East Kalimantan Deputy Governor Seno Aji highlighted the region’s fourth-century Kutai Kingdom heritage, evidenced by the Yupa inscriptions in Muara Kaman. He noted that 56 cultural heritage elements from East Kalimantan have been officially recognized by the Culture Ministry.

The forum concluded with a call for stronger synergy between central and regional governments, academics, and cultural figures to mainstream culture in national development. The Culture Ministry reiterated its commitment to protecting, developing, and utilizing cultural heritage as a foundation for sustainable civilization and global engagement.